FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT DELEGATION - PAGE 5

ANNAPOLIS A health-care coalition said Tuesday that it has sponsors for a bill to double Maryland's per-pack cigarette tax from $1 to $2, creating a fund to help the underinsured. Several lawmakers representing Washington County oppose the increase, which would be the state's third tobacco tax hike since 1999. Health Care for All! - hundreds of medical, religious, labor, business and civic groups - is pushing the plan, saying it would help adults quit smoking and keep young people from starting.

Del. John P. Donoghue, D-Washington, sent a text message Tuesday to a Republican legislator from Washington County, accusing him of meddling in his district. Donoghue sent the text message at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday to Del. Andrew A. Serafini, R-Washington, the chair of the county's legislative delegation. He copied the message to Del. LeRoy Myers, R-Allegany/Washington, a reporter and to some other phone numbers. In the text message, with the salutation “Hi Andy,” Donoghue wrote that he was “well aware of your efforts behind my back.

The Washington County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly is holding its annual public meeting Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at South Hagerstown High School's auditorium. As the 2009 General Assembly session approaches, people are invited to talk about issues that are on their minds. If the weather is bad that day, the public meeting will be canceled and won't be rescheduled.

ANNAPOLIS - Citing a possible conflict of interest, the Washington County Delegation has rejected the appointment of a member of the Clear Spring American Legion to the Washington County Gaming Commission. The Washington County Club Association had nominated John Bumbaugh, a past commander at the Clear Spring Legion, to represent their interests on the Gaming Commission, which gives away money raised by tip jar gambling. The legion applied for a $5,000 grant from the Gaming Commission, but was denied last month.

Washington County Hospital representatives recently welcomed a delegation from Jiangsu Province in China. The delegation visited the United States for a week to learn about maternal and child health care as well as related public health issues. Four directors from the Population and Family Planning Commission and a director from the Personnel and Labor Bureau visited the hospital's Family Birthing Center to learn more about hospital care for mothers and babies. Patricia Reggio, clinical manager of the birthing center, discussed family-centered care to the group.

Washington County government probably won't get a state bailout of its $52.3 million water and sewer debt, but the local delegation to the Maryland General Assembly has agreed to help find solutions to the problem. "We are, as a delegation, becoming involved," said Delegation Chairman Robert A. McKee, R-Washington. As a first step, the delegation has arranged a meeting at McKee's office Friday with officials from the Maryland Department of Environment. The meeting will give Hagerstown and Washington County governments a chance to once more plead their case for state aid. "It's great.

Why should the Washington County Commissioners vote on the proposed salaries of elected county officials if the county's Maryland General Assembly delegation isn't bound by their recommendation? For the same reason that various political bodies, including the commissioners, issue proclamations - to show where they stand. That's what delegation members were asking for last week after the commissioners forwarded a list of recommendations for pay increases for the sheriff, the School Board and future commissioners.

laurae@herald-mail.com ANNAPOLIS - Two Washington County lawmakers are vying to chair the Western Maryland delegation during the upcoming legislative session. Republican Delegates Robert A. McKee and LeRoy E. Myers Jr. both want the job being vacated by Del. George C. Edwards, R-Garrett/Allegany. On Tuesday, Edwards said he would step down as Western Maryland delegation chairman when the legislative session starts in January to allow another Republican to hold a leadership position.

Members of Washington County's delegation to the Maryland General Assembly have filed the following bills for the current special session: · Senate Bill 8: Kindergarten programs would be exempt from state requirements for minimum days or hours of operation in a year. Sponsored by Sen. Alex X. Mooney, R-Frederick/Washington and Sen. Andrew P. Harris, R-Baltimore County/Harford · Senate Bill 9: The state Department of Budget and Management would have to develop a Web site that specifies expenditures or other state assistance of more than $25,000.